If it's for your sanity then go ahead and kill me, I can understand

I will keep an eye on the mixture and check it often to see how it's going. I don't have any pod now to check two times a day so I can check the pot!!!

Just so you know, I use plain potting soil to start seeds. Nothing fancy, and nothing else added to it. Just cheap potting mix. I have often used a bag that has been open for ages. Sometimes that bag has even sat outside all winter! I've grown the seeds in cups, and in little pots that I bought plants in from a nursery. I'm not always obsessed with cleaning the pots first, either, and my seeds grow just fine! Some people stick them in the dirt outside, and they grow just fine. I think it can get over-complicated, when it doesn't have to be that way. I spend as little money as I have to on this stuff, which saves more money for new plants. Growing daylilies from seed isn't rocket science. If it was, I would have been a complete failure at it. I think too many people stress out over getting the seeds started in the most perfect conditions. If I can grow them in cheap potting soil, with no special additives or a huge amount of attention, anyone can.

Thank you Natalie for your post! It makes sense, since many sow seeds directly in the ground. Now, since I have 7 more seeds, I will try to not get mad and plant some of them in potting soil!
I needed a starting point, because I never grew anything in my life, and it's the first time I'm face to face with seeds! My seeds, also!

Your seeds!

Makes it even more special! Just don't stress out over it. It isn't worth the stress! I'm sure that you will be successful, and will have something beautiful to show from the effort! I can't wait to see the pictures of your very first bloom! I remember mine like it was yesterday! It was a HUGE disappointment, because it was so UGLY, but I loved it anyway!

I'm afraid it will take forever... this is one of the reasons because I want to start them indoors as soon as I can, so next spring I will have a (hopefully) decent plant to put in the garden.. and maybe see a flower. I don't know if it can work, but I want to try.
Which was your first bloom?

It was years ago, and I had to wait 4 very long years to see the first bloom! I was in a much colder zone then, so it took a long time. I think with your warmer zone, you will probably see a bloom next year!

I doubt it will be next year, but I hope it will be so!

Sabrina, Really, it doesn't have to be so all fired technical. Some people make out like it's rocket science but it really isn't. I never sprouted my daylily seeds before planting them. I also never dried them or held them over on purpose before planting them. I got a pod, the pod got ripe & began to split open, I took the seeds and planted them directly into a pot that contained part potting soil (whatever I had around no matter the age of it), part sand (out of my yard), part vermiculite and part pearlite. The proportions were what I "felt" was right for my growing conditions -- sort of like when you cook - you often cook by feel and throw in a dash of this, a pinch of that, you get the idea, so the same thing with soil. It is my opinion that you don't have to have any special germinating soil or mix nor have sterile soil. I was in zone 10 Florida, so very hot & humid & sunny. I would plant the seeds directly into my soil mix, water & leave them sitting in the sun. I would water according to when it began to dry out which might be twice a day or once every 2 days or whatever depending on what the weather did. I didn't keep written records but I will estimate I had about 80% germination rate if not higher. I treated seeds that were sent to me the same way. I got them, I planted them.
I agree with Natalie. This is supposed to be fun. Just relax & have fun with it. Find out what works for YOU in your area under your growing conditions. If one day you decide you want to become a hybridizer then you can keep logs of exact measurements, temperatures, daylight hours & anything else you think might make a difference and make a science of it. Until that time just ENJOY it! Have FUN with it! Do it YOUR way. RELAX.

Thanks Ann.
I got a bit hesitant because the first two seeds I had planted in a put with the soil I grabbed from the garden rot and died, so I thought I needed a bit more accuracy.
Also, I don't have any experience with soils and seeds, now I'm slowly learning to know soils, what seems good and what seems bad!
I still have the "problem" of coming winter (here in Itay weather seems to gone crazy from the last two years) and wanted to grow the little seeds indoors, but my house is not a great place to give a good spot to plants, so all in all I went doubtful about everything!!
Many thanks for your post!

Sabrina...

Have fun and don't let it all overcome you. Like a few said here, you can make a science out of it if you chose. Best thing I believe is like everything else, make it your own. Take the advice that works for you and have at it. Good luck! I will look forward to your blooms...

@cybersix

I thought I would share a picture of my sprouts...

These were cold soaked in the fridge for a couple weeks and in hydr. prox/ water solution for a week. I then just lightly pressed them under the top of the garden soil mix they are growing in and yes, those are styrofoam cups. They are siting on two food can flats in a plastic tub. I have a 18" fluorescent light affixed to a board and it rest on top of the plastic tub. My Misses dislikes my little garden center very much, but understands my new found madness or passion for Daylily's. Or more appropriate, she tolerates it.



Do please keep us posted on what works for you!

Thanks Stan and everyone for your advices! Today I saw the first leaf! Here it is!

Stan and Sabrina - Yay! For all the new babies being born here in their cozy little pots/cups!

What a lovely sight!

Love seeing those new sprouts breaking the soil.

Second leaf today!
Since it's in vermiculite when will I have to put in "real" soil? When should I add small quantities of fertilizer? I want this baby big and strong si next spring it will have its new spot in the garden!

Great Question....

I am also interested in knowing this. Particularly, the fertilizer part... since my sprouts were started in soil, I transferred them already. They are sitting outside in dappled sunlight adjusting to their new environment. But, I've yet to put any fertilizer... perhaps a drink of compost tea will be in order first... and fertilize next spring...

Yours are outdoors?
Sadly I don't have a safe space for a small pot and a small seedling. And we're going toward low temps so I'm going to try to grow it indoors, if my cats will let it be in peace

Yes, out doors already but the are sheltered sitting underneath corner of the deck. We are still in the upper 80s to lower 90s here durring the day and will be yet for a few weeks.

I hope you can keep those cars at bay...

Hope some of the more experienced folks will answer the fertilizer bit soon...

I use Miracle Grow liquid fertilizer at 1/4 strength of what is recommended on the box when I start to fertilize my young seedlings. I do that with a watering and then don't fertilize again until I pot them up into the next size pot. Once again, I use 1/4 strength until the seedlings get to be a good size.